Stephenson County welcomes new assistant state's attorney

As a newly hired assistant state’s attorney for Stephenson County, Patrick Devero said he hopes to play an important role in the community and make a lasting contribution to the local criminal justice system. “I like being in court and being able to try cases, and I also think it̵...

As a newly hired assistant state’s attorney for Stephenson County, Patrick Devero said he hopes to play an important role in the community and make a lasting contribution to the local criminal justice system.

“I like being in court and being able to try cases, and I also think it’s an important role to play in the community,” said Devero, 25, a Palatine native who is in the process of moving to Freeport. “I feel good about what I do on a personal level.”

Devero officially started his new job in Stephenson County on Sept. 12. He was hired to replace former County Assistant State’s Attorney Philip Jacques, who left his position at the end of July to take a job in Detroit.

With Devero now on board, the state’s attorney’s office once again has five assistant prosecutors, said County State’s Attorney John Vogt. To Vogt, it was Devero’s academic background and work ethic that made him an ideal choice for the job.

“He impressed me with his strong academic background; his law school course selection, which included several courses related to criminal law and procedure; and his intern experience,” Vogt said. “However, more importantly, it was clear that he is a hard worker, which is an important attribute for an assistant state’s attorney.”

Devero received an undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University, and a law degree from William & Mary School of Law in Williamsburg, Va. Devero graduated from law school in May, and was in the top 11 percent of his class, Vogt said.

While in law school, Devero worked in the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney in Colonial Heights, Va., and also completed internships at various mid-sized law firms and for judges.

Devero said his new position in Stephenson County is a good fit for him, considering his goal of becoming a prosecutor. As of now, Devero will be handling local misdemeanor and traffic cases.

“This is definitely the type of law I’m looking at,” Devero said. “I’m very grateful to have this opportunity.”

Devero said he discovered his love for the law in college, and decided to pursue it as a career. So far, he said his experience in Stephenson County has been positive, and that he expects this to be a long-term position.

“The people in the office are great. I’m already learning a lot from them,” Devero said. “Everyone is very welcoming.”

For more information on the Stephenson County State’s Attorney’s Office, contact Vogt at (815) 235-8279.